Mohair and personality on show

By
Ashleigh Milton

April 29, 2014, 1:18 p.m.

CHIPPING Norton sisters Caitlin and Merryn Bowman say their Angora goats have a lot more going for them than just pretty hairdos.

No kidding around: Chipping Norton's Merryn and Caitlin Bowman with two Angora goats they have raised at school. They were place-getters at the recent Sydney Royal Easter Show. Picture: Jeff de Pasquale

CHIPPING Norton sisters Caitlin and Merryn Bowman say their Angora goats have a lot more going for them than just pretty hairdos.

Caitlin said Angora goats were best known for producing an expensive fibre called "mohair", but they were also very intelligent animals.

"Mohair is used by the fashion industry and it is able to take dye exceptionally well," said the year 12 student from Macarthur Anglican College.

"The finest mohair is found on kids — which are the young — and after each shearing the microns in the hair generally get a lot stronger.

"I suppose I like them because they were one of the first animals I have been introduced to in the showing circuit and I have enjoyed it so much I have just stuck with them."

Her sister Merryn said her favourite thing about Angora goats was their personality.

"They are smarter than sheep," she said.

"They also have a better understanding of what is going on around them."

The sisters are involved in their school's show team.

"We show the animals because it is fun and a good learning curve," Caitlin said.

"I have been going to the Easter Show for the last five years and this was the first year for Merryn.

"It is just a good way to learn skills in personal relations and share knowledge with the public on animals."

The Bowman sisters' passion for agriculture began at an early age.

"Our parents have always shown us the best of both worlds through our travels in the country and city," Caitlin said.

"As a little girl I wanted to go to a high school that had animals — and passion started from there.

"Agriculture is important to the world, if we don't have it then we don't have any of our basic needs like food and clothing — it all starts with agriculture.

"It makes me sad that people don't seem to understand this, and that is also where my passion began."